Welcome to your Sligo journey information.
Sligo is a hidden gem on Eire‘s beautiful west coast and after simply spending an extended weekend there, I’m so excited to share all the most effective spots and locations I’d advocate on your Sligo journey. On this weblog publish, I’ll share the most effective issues to do in Sligo, the most effective locations to eat and the most effective locations to take in the unimaginable Irish historical past and tradition.
Situated within the province of Connacht, Sligo is a coastal city surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and a wealthy cultural heritage. Sligo boasts a vibrant meals scene, providing contemporary seafood, conventional Irish dishes, and a rising craft beer and whiskey tradition that may depart your coronary heart and tummy very joyful. However greater than that, Sligo is the proper base location for exploring the Wild Atlantic Means, browsing the world-famous surf breaks and the grand landscapes surrounding it.
Sligo’s tapestry of tradition and historical past is wealthy, alive and well-preserved. You possibly can immerse your self within the native traditions, native delicacies, discover historical Celtic websites, and go to landmarks linked to the famend poet W.B. Yeats, whose affect can nonetheless be felt all through the area.
Being solely a one-hour flight from the UK and a 2.5-hour drive from Dublin, Sligo makes for a simple, no-hassle weekend break crammed with a plethora of fantastic meals and journey.
Proceed studying for all my greatest issues to do in Sligo!
Different journey guides we predict you’ll love:
One of the best time to go to Sligo?
One of the best time to go to Sligo, Eire, will depend on your pursuits and motive for visiting. Summer season (June to August) gives delicate temperatures averaging round 15-20°C so in the event you’re eager on hikes and outside actions, this may very well be an excellent time to plan to go to. Nevertheless on the flip aspect, spring and autumn present fewer crowds and you will get higher offers on flights and lodging.
Winter might be chilly with temperatures round 5-10°C however nonetheless pleasant in the event you pack nicely as there may be nonetheless loads to maintain you occupied (see remainder of publish!). Surfers are likely to flock to Sligo within the autumn and winter months for optimum wave circumstances, although browsing is feasible year-round and for learners – the summer time could also be a greater choice.
Take into account timing your go to with an annual occasion just like the Sligo Dwell Music Pageant, Sligo St. Patrick’s Day and Fleadh Cheoil. Many others all year long add cultural allure to your go to! The Irish certain know learn how to throw a celebration!
In the end, for the most effective time to go to Sligo, take into consideration what your precedence is to expertise and select the time that aligns, whether or not its for browsing, outside adventures, or experiencing native festivities.
We stayed at The Glasshouse Lodge throughout our keep in Sligo. It was an insane location to have as a base. Proper on River Sligo, strolling distance from all the most effective eating places and pubs and solely a 20-minute radius from a lot of the actions on this information! Oh they usually have FREE underground parking too for lodge visitors!
One of the best locations to eat and drink in Sligo
We skilled some unimaginable food and drinks throughout our time in Sligo. I needed to make a little bit part right here for suggestions!
Eala Bhan £££
Situated in a captivating riverside setting, Eala Bhan gives a various menu targeted on contemporary seafood and Irish delicacies. Elegant environment and attentive service. One for a memorable eating expertise.
Shell’s Café £
Situated on Strandhill Seaside, Shell’s Café gives beautiful views and healthful dishes like home made soups, gourmand sandwiches, and freshly baked items. Wonderful takeaway espresso and bakery within the store too!
Hargadon Bros £
An excellent enjoyable pub with nice Guinness stew!
Lillie’s Cocktail Bar ££
A stunning cosy spot to seize a cocktail and a few dwell music! Pornstar martinis had been fab!
Otto Pizza ££
Greatest pizza on the town! Wow. Horny vibes, Neapolitan pizzas and small plates. Nice date evening spot!
Thomas Connolly Bar £
Supposedly the most effective Guinness in Eire! It needs to be tried!
Milligram Espresso £
Wonderful little espresso store with candy treats too. Few indoor seats.
Baker Boys £
Contemporary baked good, want I say extra!
Stoked ££
Cocktails and tapas with pals vibes. We didn’t get time to go however had been extremely beneficial by many individuals!
The Little Cottage Cafe £
Beautiful little cosy cafe with an open fireplace able to serve you sizzling drinks and meals after an extended stroll or outside exercise!
Hooked ££
Casual riverside restaurant with regionally sourced and scrumptious meals! I might say they do their Asian dishes greatest! The slow-cooked pork and Korean fried hen had been the show-stoppers!
Sligo, Eire is a hidden gem on the west coast, providing beautiful landscapes and a wealthy cultural heritage. When you’re planning a go to, listed here are the most effective issues to do in Sligo:
1. Discover one of many Benbulben hikes / trails
When you’re up for a problem and breathtaking views, don’t miss the chance to climb Benbulben Mountain, it’s among the finest issues to do in Sligo. Reaching the summit itself is a reasonably difficult hike however there are different choices (listed under) that may mean you can benefit from the views at a extra leisurely tempo.
- Benbulben Summit (6km spherical journey): The most well-liked hike to the summit of Benbulbin is through the Gortarowey Path. From the summit, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of the encompassing countryside, together with Sligo Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Pack for the climate – it may be windy and uncovered up there!
- Gleniff Horseshoe (10km loop): This looped path gives breathtaking views of Benbulbin and the encompassing valleys. The path is reasonably difficult and takes you thru assorted terrain, together with lush forests and open moorland.
- Benbulbin Forest Stroll (5km loop): This light stroll by Benbulbin Forest means that you can immerse within the woodland and luxuriate in epic views of Benbulben as a backdrop. Usually takes 1.5-2 hours.
2. Take the scenic drive as much as Eagles Rock
If climbing isn’t your factor, worry not. So lots of Sligo’s unimaginable surrounding landscapes might be loved from the consolation of your automotive and easily driving across the lush inexperienced landscapes is among the greatest issues to do in Sligo.
It’s best to think about taking the scenic route alongside the Dartry Mountains, passing Eagles Rock viewpoint, which gives panoramic views of Benbulbin and the encompassing panorama.
An alternative choice is to drive round Mullaghmore Head (you may drive proper across the shoreline) after which the highway again to Sligo provides fairly superior views of Benbulbin Mountain. You possibly can lengthen the journey by driving by a number of the aspect roads to get views just like the one pictured under!
3. Discover Sligo’s Tradition and Historical past
Immerse your self in Sligo’s wealthy cultural heritage while you’re right here! There’s SO a lot to see and study.
Start your journey by stepping again in time at Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, an expansive website that holds the secrets and techniques of historical rituals and beliefs.
Proceed your exploration on the historic Sligo Abbey, a medieval friary that provides a glimpse into the lifetime of the previous. You possibly can wander by the well-preserved ruins and let your creativeness transport you to a bygone period of knights and monks. Then there’s the pilgrimage to Drumcliffe Churchyard, the place legendary poet W.B. Yeats rests in everlasting peace. The long-lasting and postcard backdrop of Benbulben Mountain provides an ethereal contact to your go to, as you are taking a second to replicate on his timeless phrases.
4. Benefit from the world-famous waves rolling in at Mullaghmore Head
One of the best time for browsing (in the event you’re skilled) or watching the surf at Mullaghmore Head is through the winter months when Atlantic swells are at their peak.
Skilled surfers journey from world wide to take in the towering cliffs right here, the rugged surroundings, and the highly effective Atlantic waves. Nevertheless, you too can benefit from the beautiful great thing about Mullaghmore Head year-round by climbing alongside the coastal trails and marvelling on the majestic Classiebawn Citadel (pictured under).
5. Expertise St. Patrick’s Day in Sligo!
Sligo is famend for its vibrant festivals and there are a couple of to select from within the calendar! Top-of-the-line issues to do in Sligo is to expertise The Sligo Dwell Music Pageant, held in October, bringing collectively famend musicians for an unimaginable week of dwell performances throughout numerous venues within the metropolis.
One other one which I simply skilled myself, is St. Patrick’s Day. Yearly on March 17, throughout Eire you’ll discover cities and communities coming collectively to have a good time within the type of parades, music and events.
St. Patrick’s Day in Sligo was unimaginable!! That they had a stage within the centre of city with dwell music all weekend, the entire city received concerned with the St.Paddys Day parade, pubs had been crammed with native Irish expertise and the city was 50 shades of inexperienced! There was enjoyable and conventional Irish dancing round each nook and it was so superior to expertise.
I’d say among the finest issues to do in Sligo is to time your go to with Paddy’s Day!
6. Surf the Wild Atlantic Waves
Browsing is among the greatest issues to do in Sligo as its shoreline is a haven for surfers of all talents.
There’s no higher option to begin the day than immersing your self within the ocean after which grabbing a freshly roasted espresso!
Head to Mullaghmore, Strandhill, Easky, or Streedagh to get out within the surf and expertise the Wild Atlantic waves. When you’re a newbie, you may rent gear and take surf classes with native surf colleges (I extremely advocate Rebelle Surf in Strandhill). For the extra superior surfers, Mullaghmore is famend for its big waves!
When you surf in Strandhill, be sure you seize breakfast at Shell’s Cafe afterwards!
7. Take pleasure in Pub-Crawling in Sligo
Immerse your self in Eire’s beer tradition by occurring a pub crawl, it’s indisputably among the finest issues to do in Sligo.
Pattern native brews, tuck into an iconic Guinness, and absorb the nice and cozy and hospitable pub environment that Eire does so nicely. Hopping across the pubs in Sligo is a pleasant option to meet new individuals, chat with the locals and expertise the colourful pub tradition.
Connolly’s Bar is a well-liked spot for an genuine Irish pub expertise – it’s additionally stated to serve the most effective Guinness in Eire! You’ll need to let me know! Shoot the Crows is one other good spot and Fiddlers Creek.
8. Calm down at Voya Seaweed Baths on Strandhill Seaside
For a novel and rejuvenating expertise, among the finest issues to do in Sligo is to go to Voya Seaweed Baths.
Immerse in pure wellness and restore your power after an evening in town or a giant hike. Their baths, infused with hand-harvested Irish seaweed, present therapeutic advantages for the pores and skin and physique, selling deep rest, remineralisation and cleansing. Seaweed remedy is a centuries-old custom that may depart you glowing and nourished from the within out.
We booked a 2 particular person spa room that had two seaweed baths and a steam room. We then had a 50-minute session to take pleasure in earlier than placing on our robes and heading to the comfort room the place we lay on the spa beds and loved views throughout the seaside with natural tea and water.
9. Hen-Watching at Sligo’s Nature Reserves
Sligo is a paradise for chook watchers with its numerous vary of habitats that entice quite a few chook species. When you love nature, visiting nature reserves like Lough Gill, the place you may spot a wide range of waterfowl and wading birds is among the greatest issues to do in Sligo.
- Head to the Caves of Kesh to look at raptors hovering within the skies.
- The Sligo Bay Estuary is one other good spot for bird-watching, particularly throughout migratory seasons when you may see uncommon species passing by.
10. Guide a yoga class or sound bathtub at Salt And Soul Studio
There are such a lot of bodily demanding adventures and actions to interact in while in Sligo, you’re spoilt for selection.
When you’re trying to steadiness out your physique, get a full-body stretch in and restore on an lively and non secular stage, there’s a stunning little studio I’d extremely advocate – Salt and Soul.
The gorgeous studio the place you may breathe transfer and play is just not too removed from Strandhill they usually provide a wide range of courses and immersions to go well with any stage of Yogi. This was the proper praise to a morning within the water! Guide a category right here.
11. Go to one in all Sligos Market
When you’re in search of an genuine style of Sligo and wish to strive some native produce, don’t miss the Sligo Markets! Right here’s a couple of to discover throughout your time in Sligo:
- Head over to Rathcormac Nation Market, a hidden gem the place you may uncover home made items and native crafts. From freshly baked pastries to stunning artisanal merchandise, this market exudes allure and heat.
- Beltra Nation Market, located within the picturesque village of Beltra, gives a pleasant mixture of native produce, baked items, and handmade crafts. Don’t miss the chance to discover the stalls and meet the pleasant distributors.
- Drummartin Market, nestled within the serene countryside, is a real gem. It options contemporary produce, home made treats, and distinctive crafts.
12. Take pleasure in a sundown sauna and sea dip at Scorching Field Saunas
Scorching Field Saunas in Sligo are among the finest issues to do in the event you love a panorama and also you’re into your cold and warm remedy.
You possibly can e-book a slot to benefit from the wood-fired saunas they usually even have additionally a chilly plunge (pictured under). The saunas are situated proper on the water so there may be easy accessibility to the ocean to alternate your temperature immersion.
The mixture of intense warmth from the sauna and invigorating chilly plunges gives quite a few well being advantages, together with improved circulation, decreased irritation, and enhanced psychological readability. It’s among the finest issues to do in Sligo as a result of it’s not climate dependant! Maybe an excellent wet day exercise in the event you’re caught with issues to do in Sligo!
Have you ever been to Sligo?
What are the most effective issues to do in Sligo? Something you’d add to this Sligo bucket record?
Love as at all times and joyful adventuring…
